Stories this week at WFU

WFU CELEBRATES THE YEAR OF THE ROOSTER – Wake Forest will celebrate the year of the rooster with costumes, crafts, food and games at its sixth annual Chinese New Year Festival from 11:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. Jan. 29 in Reynolds Gym, Room 201. Organizers expect the festival to top last year's attendance of 700. At 1 p.m., the festival will feature performances of a Chinese wedding ceremony, the traditional lion dance, martial arts demonstrations and a children's dance. The free event is open to the public. Chinese food items will be available for a small charge. Media are invited to attend the event. Media are also encouraged to attend a dress rehearsal for the performers at 6 p.m. Jan. 28 in Reynolds Gym. Interviews with organizers can also be arranged.

WFU PROFESSOR AVAILABLE TO COMMENT ON TRIP TO ADVISE IRAQI ELECTION ADVOCATES – Allan Louden, Wake Forest University political communication expert, is available to speak with the media about his recent visit to Amman, Jordan, to teach young, Iraqi election advocates how to prepare for the general assembly elections in that country Jan. 30. Louden said the group was focused on unifying the people of Iraq to form a nation of voters. "They were focused on unity – not differences," Louden said. "There was no way of telling which were Shiite and which were Sunni Muslims – both may have been present – but it was not an issue." During the four-day seminar, participants learned about the democratic voting process through mock press conferences, political debates and elections. Contact Louden directly at 336-758-5408 or louden@wfu.edu.

PRESIDENT, CEO OF SEVENTH GENERATION TO DELIVER BABCOCK LECTURE – Jeffrey Hollender, president and chief executive officer of Seventh Generation, will deliver the Babcock Leadership Series lecture, "What Matters Most," at 2 p.m. Jan. 31 in Room 1312 of the Worrell Professional Center at Wake Forest University. The lecture is free and open to the public. Seventh Generation is a leading national brand of non-toxic and environmentally safe household products. The company's name is derived from the Iroquois belief that, "In our every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations."

WFU PROFESSOR, STUDENTS HELP LOCAL RESIDENTS FILE TAXES, CLAIM MONEY, BUILD FUTURE – Millions of dollars up for grabs, unclaimed in Forsyth County because taxpayers aren't aware of credits available to them. Now, the people who need that money back the most have a place to turn for help. Starting at 4 p.m. Feb. 1, Yvonne Hinson, associate professor of accountancy in Wake Forest's Calloway School of Business and Accountancy, and Wake Forest accounting students will offer free tax-filing assistance to local residents at the Goodwill Industries building at 2701 University Parkway. The site operates as part of the Forsyth Working Families Partnership, a group of local non-profit organizations that helps low-income residents take advantage of tax credits by preparing their tax returns and showing them how to use the refunded money to build assets or buy a first home. Last year, the Wake Forest group assisted approximately 132 residents and returned between $40,000 and $50,000 in earned income tax credits and more than $110,000 in total refunds to local taxpayers. It is estimated that $12 million in unclaimed tax credits are available to Forsyth County residents.

PRESIDENT, CEO OF H. J. HEINZ TO SPEAK AT WFU – William Johnson, chairman, president and chief executive officer of H.J. Heinz Company, will deliver the Babcock Leadership Series lecture at 2 p.m. Feb. 1 in Room 1312 of the Worrell Professional Center at Wake Forest University. The lecture is free and open to the public. The Babcock Leadership Series lectures give Wake Forest MBA students a chance to meet with and learn from top business and government leaders. The series focuses on current issues affecting business.

'RAGIN' CAJUN' JAMES CARVILLE TO GIVE CONVOCATION ADDRESS – Members of the media are invited to attend Wake Forest's Founders' Day Convocation, featuring James Carville, Democratic strategist and co-host of CNN's "Crossfire," at 11 a.m. Feb. 3 in the university's Wait Chapel. The event is free and open to the public. Carville will not be available for interviews. During convocation, the university will recognize the field hockey team, which won its third consecutive NCAA Championship in 2004; the men's soccer team, which won the ACC regular season title; and Wake Forest senior Rebecca Cook, who was recently named a Rhodes Scholar. The Medallion of Merit, the university's highest award for service, will also be presented. Media seating for convocation is reserved in the first and second rows on the far right side of Wait Chapel. Cameras may set up along the right stairway and balcony. Media needing audio of the event should arrive at the chapel no later than 10:45 a.m. Media may park in Lot Q, located along Wake Forest Road across from the rear of Wait Chapel.